My Uverse is not working today and other responsibilities fill my time, but I am so looking forward to enjoying all the colorful ensembles (and fascinators and hats, of course) in the days ahead.
Best,
Showing posts with label Royal Wedding. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Royal Wedding. Show all posts
Sweden Crown Princess Victoria and Mr. Daniel Westling
March 9, 2011
Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, Duchess of Västergötland (1977) is her country's heir apparent and the only female in this role worldwide. If she ascends to the throne as anticipated, Victoria will be Sweden's fourth queen regnant. Her first place in succession formally went into effect on 1 January 1980 with the parliamentary change to the Act of Succession that introduced equal primogeniture. Her father, King Carl XVI Gustaf, is a third cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, making Victoria 205th in the line of succession to the British & other Commonwealth thrones. Her younger brother comes ahead of her in the British succession, though, because it is governed by male preference primogeniture, unlike Sweden's more progressive policy.
Crown Princess Victoria married her personal trainer, Daniel Westling, during a lavish royal wedding on June 19th, 2010 attended by 1,200 royal guests and dignitaries; witnessed more peripherally by over a half million people who lined the streets of Stockholm. By all indications, the couple are deeply in love. . . The arranged royal marriages of the past are clearly giving way to a new breed of unions.
The beautiful and beaming bride wore an off-white gown of Duchess satin with short sleeves and rounded, off-the-shoulder neckline designed by Swedish designer, Pär Engsheden. A 16.5 foot train from the waistline of her gown formed the base of the V-shaped back. Victoria wore the Cameo tiara, worn by her mother, Queen Silvia, on her own wedding day years 34 past to the day. The crown is made of gold, pearls and cameos; one that depicts the the Greek myth of cupid and Psyche. Victoria accented the crown with a pearl bracelet and cameo drop earrings.
Stricken by an eating disorder in 1997, Princess Victoria headed to the United States in 1998 for treatment and the anonymity needed to help her heal. She studied at Yale during this phase of her life.The book, "Victoria, Victoria" about her eating disorder was published in 2002. Speaking about her condition, Victoria said, “I felt like an accelerating train, going right down... during the whole period. I had eating disorders and was aware of it, my anguish was enormous. I really hated how I looked like, how I was... I, Victoria, didn’t exist. It felt like everything in my life and around me was controlled by others. The one thing I could control was the food I put in me”. . . . “What happened cost, and I was the one who stood for the payments. Now I’m feeling well and with the insights I’ve acquired through this I can hopefully help someone else”.
Royal status does not protect one from human vulnerabilities. Victoria's serious challenges in life, may very well explain the expressions of joy of love we see in her wedding photos. . . . such a sweet and deserving outcome for this lovely, young woman.
Parents of the bride and groom. . . . 
The bride's younger sister, Princess Madeleine, wore a blue chiffon dress with a crystal-embroidered bodice, and a skirt with a cascade of ruffles. She also wore for the first time the diamond Connaught tiara which features five loops of forget-me-not flowers and leaves - each with a diamond hanging pendent. Princess Madeleine was engaged to be married late last year, but broke off the engagement after her fiance' was found to be unfaithful. As already noted, royal status does not exempt one from life's painful moments.
And we can't neglect Princess Victoria's younger brother, Prince Carl Philip. . . the handsome and available, Carl Philip. . . Some photos are provided for your viewing pleasure! . . . .
Is anyone else excited about the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate?!
I have been working on entries about more royal weddings, just to get us in the proper mood.
I have been working on entries about more royal weddings, just to get us in the proper mood.
Best,
South African Royal Wedding - Zulu Princess Bukhosibemvelo
February 18, 2011
The 24 year old Zulu Princess Bukhosibemvelo married her love, Sipho Nyawo, during the summer of 2009. The princess is director of the Amathonga Institute, which supports the efforts of entrepreneurs in South Africa. Her new husband is a business executive. The photos of their lovely wedding day at the Botanical Gardens in Durban reflect the bright smiles of the happy couple and their guests. The bride wore a gown that was designed by Johannesburg designer Julian and carried a bouquet of pastel pink spring roses. The groom sported a gray suit from the Giorgio Armani collection.
The pleated neckline of her gown features an element found in the collections of numerous bridal designers. I love the textured styling of this contemporary look.
The bride’s father King Zwelithini has 37 children – 22 sons and 15 daughters while her mother Queen Mantfombi is Swazi King Mswati III’s sister. Guests at the event included South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma, the country’s first ladies; Sizakele Khumalo, Nompumelelo Ntuli and Thobeka Mabhija, IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Swaziland’s royal family and Nigerian chiefs Adolf Omobude and Osawe Joseph. ~ BellaNagia.com
The princess chose Western styling for her special day. The South African wedding featured in the delightful video below embraces both Western and traditional Zulu customs. . . enjoy the color & celebration of love. . . love, love, love it! This couple and their guests are perfect examples of Soaring Hearts!
Traditional African wedding attire consists of the multiple-piece Buba (blouse), Iro (wrapper), Gele (head wear) and Ipele (shawl) The gele and ipele are often made of hand-loomed Yoruba Aso oke fabric. I know where to look for inspiration when I get around to creating those turban designs still swirling in my head.
May all your days be equally colorful and expressive!
Best,
Best,
Queen Victoria's Wedding & Victorian Vintage Influences on Contemporary Bridal Fashion
February 12, 2011
Queen Victoria (1819-1901) is often credited for initiating the use of white for bridal gowns. Although history indicates that Anne of Brittany (1477-1514) wore a white bridal gown when she married King Louis XII of France 3 centuries earlier (1499) among others (Marie Louise of Austria when she married Napoleon in 1810 and Princess Charlotte of Wales when she married Prince Leopold of Cobourg in 1816), Victoria's choice of white (1840) occurred in the spotlight of photography and in the midst of a long-standing tradition of wearing color. . . a trend that is returning to the bridal fashion scene. It seems that changes are called for periodically.
Marie Louise of Austria
Princess Charlotte of WalesEver inspired by Victoria and Albert's love story, I want to share some detail about her bridal attire. Much of Victoria's gown was made of fine white Honiton lace made exclusively for her, costing approximately 1,000 pounds and the efforts of more than 200 people over an eight month period. It is said that the designs for this lace were destroyed to keep others from duplicating them. The gown itself was made of white satin accented with clusters of orange flower blossoms and crafted by artisans in Spitelfields Market of London.
Orange blossoms were very popular accessories during the Victorian era, often worn as a wreath or circlet, which is exactly what Queen Victoria wore on her wedding day. Her orange blossom crown was accented with two large ostrich feather plumes that helped fill out the space over her lace veiling. The plumes appear in the royal photographs, but were omitted in her bridal portrait.
Orange blossoms are very fragrant and during the Victorian era, symbolized fertility, purity, and chasity, making their addition to the bridal ensemble quite appropriate for the times. When the blossoms were in season, brides would often use wax facsimiles or crowns made of other blossoms such as roses, lavender or wild flowers for their headpiece coronets.
Orange blossoms are very fragrant and during the Victorian era, symbolized fertility, purity, and chasity, making their addition to the bridal ensemble quite appropriate for the times. When the blossoms were in season, brides would often use wax facsimiles or crowns made of other blossoms such as roses, lavender or wild flowers for their headpiece coronets.
Royal brides often wore a crown of jewels, rather than the floral crown. Victoria, however, wore jewels that represented her social status. She wore an armlet with the Order of the Garter (which reads, “Honi soit qui mal y pense”, or translated in English “Shame be to him who thinks evil of it”) and the Star of the Order. Both are pictured below. Does the tradition of wearing a bridal brooch date back to this choice?
Order of the Garter
Star of the OrderBelow are examples of English Honiton lace, similar to that used for Queen Victoria's gown. . .
and a photo of her bridal slippers. . .
We still see strong influences from the Victorian era in our bridal designs. Some contemporary designs below with their accentuated butt bustles and trains are classic Victorian. Lace, embroidery, and other intricate, delicate and feminine details are all aspects of Victorian design that still reign in many contemporary designs such as those below.
And I just had to share these Victorian-style shoes from Peterfox shoes. You can check out more of their gorgeous vintage designs by clicking on the photos below. . .
One has to admire Victoria, the woman who ascended to her throne at the age of 18, and held that position for the longest reign in British history; a life of intensity in love, public service and influence - an influence that has lasted many lifetimes. Victoria and Albert parented 9 off-spring; each leaving their own marks on society.
An event at the Royal Albert Hall is a must for any London honeymooners! Several years ago my husband took me there to see Puccini's Madame Butterfly. It is an evening I will never forget.
The Royal Albert Hall was built to fulfil the vision of Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's consort) of a 'Central Hall' that would be used to promote understanding and appreciation of the Arts and Sciences and would stand at the heart of the South Kensington estate, surrounded by museums and places of learning.
Wishing you all many memorable moments of your own.
Best,
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